Audrey Korak

Audrey Korak passed away surrounded by her loving family on February 17, 2011, after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer since 1991. She was born in Richland County, WI, on March 6, 1928, to the late Foster and Lillie Peckham. She attended schools in Richland Center and then moved to Rockford Illinois where she began a 30 year career as office manager for Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company. She also held an Illinois State Realtor’s License. She married Paul Korak in 1970 and they had a long and loving marriage until his death January 8, 2010. He was her caretaker, especially after she had to use a walker for a year. He watched over her, cooked for her and became a volunteer for the Chemo Department at NorthEast since she had gone to chemo each week since 1999. His death left a great hole in her heart as they had, in healthy years, enjoyed golf outings, cruises, and good times with each other and with friends. Audrey belonged to Epworth United Methodist Church since 1985 after they moved to Concord in 1983 to be near her children. Following their move, Audrey went to work for Connecticut Mutual in Charlotte for 10 years and then worked part-time for her son, Dr. Cliff Compton, in Concord, having to retire in 1999 when she got her second recurrence of Stage IV cancer. Audrey was preceded in death besides her husband Paul, by her parents, a brother, a sister and a niece. She is survived by her son, Dr. Cliff Compton (Ursula) of Denver, NC and her daughter Rita L. Gordon (Jon) of Cary, NC stepson Joe Korak (Julene) of SD, stepdaughter Cheryl Lewis (Terry) of Indianapolis, IN and stepdaughter Danna Korak of Norman, OK. She has 3 grandchildren, Anne Gordon of Raleigh, NC and Charlie and Garrett Compton of Concord, NC. She is also survived by a sister, Judy Hein (Jerry) of Lone Rock, WI and a sister in law Lura Jane Peckham of Lacrosse, WI, along with many nieces and nephews who have kept in constant touch with her to the end. Her greatest Love was her husband and her family which also included 16 precious step grandchildren and 16 adorable great step grandchildren. Her love for them enabled her to have a determined spirit and faith to fight her illness much longer than expected with unwavering grace, dignity, and courage. God gave her such great faith and she embraced His love for her and we know she is with Him and her loved ones who have gone before. The family would like to deeply express their gratitude to her sister Judy Hein and Audrey’s dear friend Kay Westcott who cared for her in her home in her final months. They are also very grateful for the constant assistance of her caring neighbors and friends as well as the loving care of Hospice and Palliative Care of Cabarrus County. Audrey wanted to give special thanks to Dr. Thomas Steffens who has been with her all the way and his nurses and staff at the Cancer Center during her long battle and countless years of taking chemotherapy. Memorial service will be held at Epworth United Methodist Church, 1030 Burrage Road, Concord, NC on Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 2 PM with family greeting friends at 1:00 PM. Hospice Chaplain Karen Kaser-Odor will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Epworth United Methodist Church, 1030 Burrage Road, Concord, NC 28205 or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081.